Made Smarter nominated for prestigious innovation award
Published: 30 July 2025
Business Growth West Midlands is proud to announce that Made Smarter has once again been recognised for its impact on the manufacturing sector, as a finalist for the Manufacturing Innovation Champion award at the Innovation Awards.
The Innovation Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the businesses, organisations and individuals who are dedicated to innovation. These awards are open to innovative individuals, organisations such as universities, local councils and catapults, as well as UK‑based businesses.
The Manufacturing Innovation Champion category celebrates those who consistently drive innovation, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and lead the way in advancing the industry’s capabilities and global competitiveness.
Last year, Made Smarter was Highly Commended in the same category. Previous winners include In‑Comm Training and the Confederation of British Metalforming—placing Made Smarter among some of the UK’s most influential manufacturing leaders.
Made Smarter supports manufacturers of all sizes to adopt digital technologies, build innovation into their processes, and develop the skills needed to compete and grow. The programme focuses on four key areas:
- Leadership – developing ambitious, informed leadership for digitalisation
- Adoption – guiding SMEs through implementing new technologies
- Innovation – funding and supporting new technology and value streams
- Skills – upskilling workforces to maximise the benefits of digital tools
As Darren Martin, Managing Director of DM Engineering, explains:
“As a relatively young business, we want to build the company on the right footing by investing in the right digital technologies at the right time. Made Smarter has provided fantastic support and advice to enable us to stride towards our ambition of developing a smooth, client‑led, high‑quality service.”
Want to join the growing number of manufacturers benefiting from Made Smarter’s expertise? With award‑nominated innovation support at your fingertips, there’s never been a better time to start your digital journey.
